The State Steering Committee for Key Energy Projects works with Dong Nai province

On the morning of November 5, Ho Van Ha, Member of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, had a working session with the State Steering Committee for Key National Programmes, Projects, and Works in the Energy Sector (the Steering Committee).

Also in attendance were Hoang Trong Hieu, Deputy Chief of the Office of the Steering Committee, and Pham Hong Phuong, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Electricity (EVN).

Ho Van Ha, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, speaks at the working session. Photo: Hoang Loc

According to EVN’s report, the province is currently home to the Tri An Hydropower Plant Expansion Project and a group of power grid projects designed to transmit power from the Nhon Trach 3 and 4 thermal power plants. These are listed among the nation’s key energy projects currently under implementation. Although some initial results have been achieved, the implementation process still faces many difficulties and obstacles, particularly in site clearance.

For the Tri An Hydropower Plant Expansion Project, several components on the critical path including the water intake, penstock, disposal area, and both ends of Hieu Liem Bridge, remain unimplemented as the site has yet to be handed over. Regarding the main structure, compensation, support, and resettlement plans for 28 contracted land plots are still awaiting approval. The investor has proposed that the provincial government direct the localities to complete the full site handover within November 2025 to keep the project on schedule.

Hoang Trong Hieu, Deputy Chief of the Office of the State Steering Committee for Key National Programmes, Projects, and Works in the Energy Sector, speaks at the working session with province. Photo: Hoang Loc

Ho Van Ha, Vice Chairman of Provincial People’s Committee, stated that: the site handover progress of the project is falling behind the schedule required by the central government, and that any further delays would have a substantial impact on the project’s construction timeline and on the province’s socio-economic development.

According to the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, the province has repeatedly held meetings, paid visits to grassroots areas, and increased manpower to support localities; however, problems still exist regarding several public land plots. The Provincial People’s Committee has assigned the Party Committee of the Tri An commune People’s Committee to continue persuading and holding dialogues with households that have not yet reached agreement, while at the same time preparing coercive measures in accordance with regulations.

For the group of five grid projects designed to transmit power from the Nhon Trach 3 and 4 power plants, the Southern Power Projects Management Board reported that two projects have been completed, but their procedures have not yet been finalized, while the remaining three are encountering difficulties mainly related to the formulation, approval, and payment of compensation for affected households. The investor suggested the Provincial People’s Committee to instruct the communes of Dai Phuoc, Phuoc An, Nhon Trach, and An Phuoc to promptly complete procedures and hand over the sites within November, so that construction can proceed and the investment efficiency of the power plants can be brought into play soon.

Pham Hong Phuong, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Electricity, raises suggestion to the province. Photo: Hoang Loc

For this project, the provincial People’s Committee leader requires localities to promptly resolve issues related to site clearance. The investor and localities shall submit weekly reports on the progress and any arising problems to the provincial People's Committee via the Department of Industry and Trade for timely guidance and resolution.

Hoang Trong Hieu, Deputy Chief of Office of the Steering Committee, said that: at the sixth meeting held in October 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son, Head of the Steering Committee, assigned Dong Nai province two tasks: to hand over the entire site of the Tri An Hydropower Plant Expansion Project before October 15, and to complete the site handover within October to ensure the energization schedule of the grid projects designed to transmit power from the Nhon Trach 3 and 4 power plants. As of now, both tasks have fallen behind schedule.

Also according to Hoang Trong Hieu, Dong Nai is home to many national key energy projects. Delays in their completion not only increase investment costs and reduce project efficiency but also affect national energy security. The province needs to regard the resolution of site clearance obstacles as a key task, contributing to ensuring local socio-economic development and national energy security.

The power distribution yard and power evacuation transmission lines for the Nhon Trach 3 and 4 power plants. Photo: Hoang Loc.

Regarding site clearance, for the Tri An Hydropower Plant Expansion Project, the province has instructed local communes and relevant units to hand over the site as soon as possible, no later than November 15. Similarly, for the projects related to the power evacuation from the Nhon Trach 3 and 4 Power Plants, efforts are being made to complete the site clearance before November 15.

EVN is requested to work closely with localities during the process of communication and mobilization, and compensation payments to affected households, provide complete documentation to help localities finalize legal procedures, and instruct contractors to accelerate construction progress as soon as the site is handed over. Any arising obstacles must be promptly reported to the provincial leadership.

By Hoang Loc – Translated by Thu Hien, Thu Ha